A junior high school hockey player died Thursday afternoon after a horrific collision with another player during a junior varsity game at the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut, authorities said.
Police said that Teddy Balkind of St. Luke’s fell to the ice when another player skating nearby and was unable to stop when he collided with Balkind. He was cut in the neck and rushed to a hospital where he died.
“During the normal course of the game, a player from the other team [St. Luke’s] fell to the ice. Another player who was near the downed player was unable to stop and collided with the player who fell,”Greenwich Capt. Mark Zuccerella said in a statement, according to the Hartford Courant.
“The player on the ice sustained an injury. Game play was stopped and 911 was called. The player was transported to Greenwich Hospital. The student player died as a result of the injury.”
Brunswick Head of School Thomas Philip said in a statement that Balkind suffered a cut to his neck. He said those who were at the game described the play as “entirely normal and unremarkable in the game of hockey.”
St. Luke’s identified the player as 10th-grader Teddy Balkind.
The principals of both schools expressed their shock and heartbreak, as did several high-profile hockey players and the National Hockey League, which called Balkind “a member of the hockey family lost too soon.”
The CIAC extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the St. Luke's hockey player and the St. Luke's community for their tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by this tragedy.
— CIAC Sports (@ciacsports) January 7, 2022
We have heavy hearts in our local hockey community. My thoughts and prayers are with Teddy’s family, teammates, friends and everyone impacted by this tragedy. 🙏 https://t.co/undgYP5tod
— Martin St.Louis (@mstlouis_26) January 7, 2022
We woke up this morning with the heaviest hearts after hearing of the tragic loss of one of New Canaan's own. Teddy was a wonderful young man, always smiling, a terrific teammate. No words are adequate for the grief we are all feeling. Our prayers are with Teddy and his family
— New Canaan Hockey (@NCPuck) January 7, 2022
